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Chapter 1 – An opportunity.
Todd Marshall stood in front of the large oak desk which dominated the Prison Director's office, whilst Mr Simmonds, the Prison Director, read through some papers in a file. It was only the second time Todd had been in the office, the first having been about a month previously.
Todd was just short of his seventeenth birthday and had now completed the eighth month of a two-year sentence he had received for drugs possession. Many would have considered the sentence was harsh considering Todd's age and the fact that he had never been in trouble with Police before, but following public demands for the judiciary to 'do something' to deal with the increasing problem of drug abuse amongst the young, Todd had been sentenced to two years in a Youth Offenders Institute. He had argued in Court that the ecstasy found in his sock when the cops searched him belonged to someone else and he was just looking after it, but, although it was true, the Judge had not believed him and considered he was involved in the supply of drugs to others, hence the two year sentence.
As far as Todd was concerned, the Prison was quite reasonable. It was fairly modern and the facilities were not too bad, but already it was overcrowded and the staff seemed under pressure all the time dealing with 400 young men, none of who wanted to be there! It was a relatively low security establishment as many of the inmates were there for non-violent, relatively minor offences and they were not considered to be a major risk to the community.
Mr Simmonds, the Director, always seemed to wear the same tweed jacket every day, no matter what the weather was. It has always amused the inmates, although Todd considered that the guy himself seemed okay.
"So Todd, you've been with us about eight months now?" asked the Director looking up at the blonde haired youth in front of him for the first time.
"Yes sir," replied Todd, "since the beginning of September sir."
It always puzzled Todd that they insisted on addressing the inmates by their first names as if trying to appear to be some friendly father figure.
The Director nodded and again turned his attention to the paperwork in his hands for a moment.
Again the Director looked up at him.
"When you were in here a month ago, I explained about a new initiative being launched by the Prison Service and the possibility of you serving part of your sentence in the community. To recap, the scheme releases non-violent and trusted offenders from the prison system that is already overcrowded, and allows them to undertake useful work for the benefit of others in the community. Providing the offender undertakes the work as directed with enthusiasm and commitment, his sentence can be reduced by up to 50%."
He paused for a moment,
"Due to your overall behaviour here, you were identified as being a suitable candidate for the new scheme. From the reports I have received on your conduct in this file, it would appear that you are still considered a suitable candidate, but I need to be sure of that. Do you understand?" asked Mr Simmonds.
"Yes Sir," replied Todd, nodding.
"From the reports I have here, it seems that you have acquitted yourself
well in the domestic training project you have undertaken for the last month."
The Director removed his reading glasses and continued,
"Now I guess that cooking, cleaning and all that domestic stuff doesn't really appeal to a young man like you, but, if you do go on this new initiative, that's what it's all about – making yourself useful to a family in the community. In essence, you would work and live in someone else's home, undertaking work on their behalf for a period of three months. If, at the end of that period, your conduct has been satisfactory, you will be released from your sentence and you will be a free man. But," the Director paused, replacing his glasses, "if you screw up, try to run away or don't behave yourself, you'll be back to serve the remainder of your sentence, another fifteen months, and as you will then be seventeen, you will be sent to an adult prison. Far, far tougher than the life you've enjoyed here young man. Understand?"
Todd nodded again. "Yes Sir, I understand and I won't let you down."
The Director held eye contact with Todd for a few seconds before looking away and adjusting his glasses.
"Very well. I shall recommend your participation in the scheme," said the Director, adding the all-important signature to the document in front of him.
"A Ms Phillips will be your contact officer and she will travel with you in the morning. Pack your things and be ready to leave immediately after breakfast. That's all, you can go," he said, dismissing Todd.
Todd turned and walked towards the office door, closely followed by the Prison Officer who had stood by his side throughout. As he reached the door, he heard the Director's voice again.
"Mr Marshall," he said, unusually using Todd's last name. "You are being given a real opportunity here. Don't screw up."
Todd pulled open the office door and stepped out into the corridor, the grin of delight already spread across his face.
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